• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.621-629
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• 2018

Many chemically active species such as ${\cdot}H$, ${\cdot}OH$, $O_3$, $H_2O_2$, hydrated $e^-$, as well as ultraviolet rays, are produced by Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) plasma in water and are widely use to remove non-biodegradable materials and deactivate microorganisms. As the plasma gas containing chemically active species that is generated from the plasma reaction has a short lifetime and low solubility in water, increasing the dissolution rate of this gas is an important challenge. To this end, the plasma gas and water within reactor were mixed using the air-automizing nozzle, and then, water-gas mixture was injected into water. The dissolving effect of plasma gas was indirectly confirmed by measuring the RNO (N-Dimethyl-4-nitrosoaniline, indicator of the formation of OH radical) solution. The plasma system consisted of an oxygen generator, a high-voltage power supply, a plasma generator and a liquid-gas mixing reactor. Experiments were conducted to examine the effects of location of air-automizing nozzle, flow rate of plasma gas, water circulation rate, and high-voltage on RNO degradation. The experimental results showed that the RNO removal efficiency of the air-automizing nozzle is 29.8% higher than the conventional diffuser. The nozzle position from water surface was not considered to be a major factor in the design and operation of the plasma reactor. The plasma gas flow rate and water circulation rate with the highest RNO removal rate were 3.5 L/min and 1.5 L/min, respectively. The ratio of the plasma gas flow rate to the water circulation rate for obtaining an RNO removal rate of over 95% was 1.67 ~ 4.00.

• Biomaterials and Biomechanics in Bioengineering
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.129-140
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• 2016

This article reports the development of biodegradable photoluminescent polymer (BPLP)-based nanoparticles (NPs) incorporating either magnetic nanoparticles (BPLP-MNPs) or gadopentate dimeglumine (BPLP-Gd NPs), for cancer diagnosis and treatment. The aim of the study is to compare these nanoparticles in terms of their surface properties, fluorescence intensities, MR imaging capabilities, and in vitro characteristics to choose the most promising dual-imaging nanoprobe. Results indicate that BPLP-MNPs and BPLP-Gd NPs had a size of $195{\pm}43nm$ and $161{\pm}55nm$, respectively and showed good stability in DI water and 10% serum for 5 days. BPLP-Gd NPs showed similar fluorescence as the original BPLP materials under UV light, whereas BPLP-MNPs showed comparatively less fluorescence. VSM and MRI confirmed that the NPs retained their magnetic properties following encapsulation within BPLP. Further, in vitro studies using HPV-7 immortalized prostate epithelial cells and human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) showed > 70% cell viability up to $100{\mu}g/ml$ NP concentration. Dose-dependent uptake of both types of NPs by PC3 and LNCaP prostate cancer cells was also observed. Thus, our results indicate that BPLP-Gd NPs would be more appropriate for use as a dual-imaging probe as the contrast agent does not mask the fluorescence of the polymer. Future studies would involve in vivo imaging following administration of BPLP-Gd NPs for biomedical applications including cancer detection.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.3835-3838
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• 2016

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most frequent cancer types within female populations. Silibinin is a chemotherapeutic agent ative against cancer. Niosomes are biodegradable, biocompatible, safe and effective carriers for drug delivery. Objective:To prepare nanoniosomal silibinin and evaluate its cytotoxicity inthe T-47D breast cancer cell line. Materials and Methods: Niosomes were prepared by reverse phase evaporation of a mixture of span 20, silibinin, PEG-2000 and cholesterol in chloroform and methanol solvent (1:2 v/v). The solvent phase was evaporated using a rotary evaporator and the remaining gel phase was hydrated in phosphate buffer saline. Mean size, size distribution and zeta potential of niosomes were measured with a Zetasizer instrument and then nanoparticles underwent scanning electron microscopy. The drug releasing pattern was evaluated by dialysis and the cytotoxicity of nanoniosomes in T-47D cells was assessed by MTT assay. Results: Particle size, size variation and zeta potential of the niosomal nanoparticles were measured as $178.4{\pm}5.4nm$, $0.38{\pm}0.09$ and $-15.3{\pm}1.3mV$, respectively. The amount of encapsulated drug and the level of drug loading were determined $98.6{\pm}2.7%$ and $22.3{\pm}1.8%$, respectively; released drug was estimated about $18.6{\pm}2.5%$ after 37 hours. The cytotoxic effects of nanoniosome were significantly increased when compared with the free drug. Conclusions: This study finding suggests that silibinin nanoniosomes could serve as a new drug formulation for breast cancer therapy.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.399-404
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• 2014

Production of biodegradable polymer polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from industrial wastes exhibits several advantages such as recycle of waste and the production of high valuable products. To this end, this study aimed at isolating from the sewage treatment plant a PHA producing bacterium capable of utilizing wastes generated from biodiesel and food industries. A Bacillus cereus strain capable of producing poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] was isolated, which was followed by confirmation of P(3HB) accumulation by gas-chromatographic analyses. Then, the effects of nutrient limitation on P(3HB) production by B. cereus was first examined. Cells cultured in a minimal medium under the limitation of nitrogen, potassium and sulfur suggested that nitrogen limitation allows the highest P(3HB) accumulation. Next, production of P(3HB) was examined from both waste of biodiesel production (crude glycerol) and waste from food industry (spent coffee grounds). Cells cultured in nitrogen-limited minimal medium supplemented crude glycerol and waste spent coffee grounds extract accumulated P(3HB) to the contents of 2.4% and 1.0% of DCW. This is the first report demonstrating the capability of B. cereus to produce P(3HB) from waste raw materials such as crude glycerol and spent coffee grounds.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.61-72
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• 2009

Fabrication and oxidants production of 3 or 4 components metal oxide electrode, which is known to be so effective to destruct non-biodegradable organics in wastewater, were studied. Five electrode materials (Ru as main component and Pt, Sn, Sb and Gd as minor components) were used for the 3 or 4 components electrode. The metal oxide electrode was prepared by coating the electrode material on the surface of the titanium mesh and then thermal oxidation at $500^{\circ}C$ for 1h. The removed RhB per 2 min and unit W of 3 components electrode was in the order: Ru:Sn:Sb=9:1:1 > Ru:Pt:Gd=5:5:1 > Ru:Sn=9:1 > Ru:Sn:Gd=9:1:1 > Ru:Sb:Gd=9:1:1. Although RhB decolorization of Ru:Sn:Sb:Gd electrode was the highest among the 4 components electrode, the RhB decolorization and oxidants formation of the Ru:Sn:Sb=9:1:1 electrode was higher than that of the 3 and 4 components electrode. Electrogenerated oxidants (free Cl and $ClO_2$) of chlorine type in 3 and 4 components electrode were higher than other oxidants such as $H_2O_2\;and\;O_3$. It was assumed that electrode with high RhB decolorization showed high oxidant generation and COD removal efficiency. OH radical which is electrogenerated by the direct electrolysis was not generated the entire 3 and 4 components electrode, therefore main mechanism of RhB degradation by metal oxide electrode based Ru was considered indirect electrolysis using electrogenerated oxidants.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2005

Microcapsules consisting of natural, biodegradable polymers for controlled and/or sustained core release applications are needed. Physicochemical properties of whey proteins suggest that they may be suitable wall materials in developing such microcapsules. The objectives of the research were to develop water-insoluble, whey protein-based microcapsules containing a model water-soluble drug using a chemical cross-linking agent, glutaraldehyde, and to investigate core release from these capsules at simulated physiological conditions. A model water soluble drug, theophylline, was suspended in whey protein isolate (WPI) solution. The suspension was dispersed in a mixture of dichloromethane and hexane containing 1% biomedical polyurethane. Protein matrices were cross-linked with 7.5-30 ml of glutaraldehyde-saturated toluene (GAST) for 1-3 hr. Microcapsules were harvested, washed, dried and analyzed for core retention, microstructure, and core release in enzyme-free simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid(SIF) at $37^{\circ}C$. A method consisting of double emulsification and heat gelation was also developed to prepare water-insoluble, whey protein-based microcapsules containing anhydrous milkfat (AMF) as a model apolar core. AMF was emulsified into WPI solution (15${\sim}$30%, pH 4.5-7.2) at a proportion of 25${\sim}$50%(w/w, on dry basis). The oil-in-water emulsion was then added and dispersed into corn oil ($50^{\circ}C$) to form an O/W/O double emulsion and then heated at $85^{\circ}C$ for 20 min for gelation of whey protein wall matrix. Effects of emulsion composition and pH on core retention, microstructure, and water-solubility of microcapsules were determined. Overall results suggest that whey proteins can be used in developing microcapsules for controlled and sustained core release applications.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.597-603
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• 2012

Non-thermal plasma processing using a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) has been investigated as an alternative method for the degradation of non-biodegradable organic compounds in wastewater. The active species such as OH radical, produced by the electrical discharge may play an important role in degrading organic compound in water. The degradation of N, N-Dimethyl-4-nitrosoaniline (RNO) was investigated as an indicator of the generation of OH radical. The DBD plasma reactor of this study consisted of a plasma reactor, recycling pump, power supply and reservoir. The effect of diameter of external reactor (15 ~ 40 mm), width of ground electrode (2.5 ~ 30 cm), shape (pipe, spring) and material (copper, stainless steel and titanium) of ground electrode, water circulation rate (3.1 ~ 54.8 cm/s), air flow rate (0.5 ~ 3.0 L/min) and ratio of packing material (0 ~ 100 %) were evaluated. The experimental results showed that shape and materials of ground were not influenced the RNO degradation. Optimum diameter of external reactor, water circulation rate and air flow rate for RNO degradation were 30 mm, 25.4 cm/s and 4 L/min, respectively. Ground electrode length to get the maximum RNO degradation was 30 cm, which was same as reactor length. Filling up of glass beads decreased the RNO degradation. Among the experimented parameters, air flow rate was most important parameters which are influenced the decomposition of RNO.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Bioinformatics Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.13-16
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• 2000

Microorganisms have been widely employed for the production of useful bioproducts including primary metabolites such as ethanol, succinic acid, acetone and butanol, secondary metabolites represented by antibiotics, proteins, polysaccharides, lipids and many others. Since these products can be obtained in small quantities under natural condition, mutation and selection processes have been employed for the improvement of strains. Recently, metabolic engineering strategies have been employed for more efficient production of these bioproducts. Metabolic engineering can be defined as purposeful modification of cellular metabolic pathways by introducing new pathways, deleting or modifying the existing pathways for the enhanced production of a desired product or modified/new product, degradation of xenobiotics, and utilization of inexpensive raw materials. Metabolic flux analysis and metabolic control analysis along with recombinant DNA techniques are three important components in designing optimized metabolic pathways, This powerful technology is being further improved by the genomics, proteomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics. Complete genome sequences are providing us with the possibility of addressing complex biological questions including metabolic control, regulation and flux. In silico analysis of microbial metabolic pathways is possible from the completed genome sequences. Transcriptome analysis by employing ONA chip allows us to examine the global pattern of gene expression at mRNA level. Two dimensional gel electrophoresis of cellular proteins can be used to examine the global proteome content, which provides us with the information on gene expression at protein level. Bioinformatics can help us to understand the results obtained with these new techniques, and further provides us with a wide range of information contained in the genome sequences. The strategies taken in our lab for the production of pharmaceutical proteins, polyhydroxyalkanoate (a family of completely biodegradable polymer), succinic acid and me chemicals by employing metabolic engineering powered by genomics, proteomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics will be presented.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.149-154
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• 2015

In recent years, immobilization agents were introduced into organic contaminated soil remediation and more and more materials were screened and used as the immobilizing carrier. However, effect of the decomposition of the immobilizing carrier on the bioremediation was rarely concerned. Therefore, the decomposition experiment of immobilizing carrier -corncob was carried out in the lab with the efficient degradation fungi - Mucor mucedo (MU) existing, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) residues E4/E6 of the dissolved organic matter and microbial diversity during the decomposition process were studied. The results showed that: a) during the decomposition, the degradation of pyrene (Pyr) was mainly in the first 28 d in which the content of extractable Pyr decreased rapidly and the highest decrease was in the treatment with only MU added. b) Anslysis of E4/E6 changes showed that rich microorganisms could promote aromatization and condensation of humus. c) From the diversity index analysis it can also be seen that there is no significant difference in effects of PAHs on the uniformity of microorganisms. These results will not only be useful to have a better understanding of the bioavailability of contaminants adsorbed to biodegradable carriers in PAHs contaminated soil remediation, but also be helpful to perfect the principle of immobilized microbial technique.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.415-421
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• 2004

Litter wastes on highway runoff are gradually being considered one of the major pollutants of concern in protecting the integrity of receiving waters for beneficial use. The California State Water Resources Control Board has identified in their 303(d) list at least 36 water bodies where trash or litter is considered a pollutant of concern. The first TMDL adopted by the Region 4 (Los Angeles area) of the California State Water Quality Control Board was for trash in the Los Angeles River. The first flush characteristic study was developed to obtain first flush water quality and litter data from representative stormwater runoff from standard highway drainage outfalls in the Los Angeles area. Total captured gross pollutants in stormwater runoff were monitored at six Southern California highway sites over two years. The gross pollutants were 90% vegetation and 10% litter. Approximately 50% of the litter was composed of biodegradable materials. The event mean concentrations show an increasing trend with antecedent dry days and a decreasing trend with total runoff volume or total rainfall. Event mean concentrations were ranged 0.0021 to 0.259g/L for wet gross pollutants and 0.0001 to 0.027g/L for wet litters. The first flush phenomenon was evaluated and the impacts of various parameters such as rainfall intensity, drainage area, peak flow rate, and antecedent dry period on litter volume and loading rates were evaluated. First flush phenomenon was generally observed for litter concentrations, but was not apparent with litter mass loading rates. Litter volume and loading rates appear to be directly related to peak storm intensity, antecedent dry days and total flow volume.